when it rains, it floods...literally

On facebook, I've mentioned my room flooding yesterday and several people have wondered how it happened. So, I figured I'd write about it on my blog to give you the whole story. I woke up around 6am on Wednesday morning to a big thunderstorm. It started raining really hard, but I didn't think anything of it. I dozed off until my alarm went off at 6:30am. As I'm laying in bed I realize it sounds like there is running water in my room. I turn on my lamp and look towards my window, figuring that would be where the water would come in. The windowsill is dry, so I look down at the floor. There was water spreading from the wall to my bed. I got up, made sure my blanket wasn't touching the floor, and tried to figure out where the water was coming from. Just above the baseboard, the paint on the wall was bubbling out and there was a steady stream of water flowing into my room. I spent the next 20 minutes getting towels to soak up water, and moving everything that was on the floor to my bed or the laundry room. At 7am, the water was just reaching my bedroom door and starting to spill into the hallway (it had already flooded our little bathroom that seperates the two bedrooms). By this time, the rain outside had lighten up and water stopped running into my room. My carpet was soaked and there was a thin layer of water on top. I had to ask the girls to give me their towels so I could soak up water and keep it from going into the other bedroom. I did not get to take a shower and as the girls got ready for school, I was trying to decide how I was going to get the water out of my room. After we dropped the kids off at school and had our team meeting, my coworker and I borrowed a shop vacuum and a dehumidifier from Grace's shop. Two other coworkers came over with extra towels, and we started ringing out the soaked towels and putting the dry ones day (which were soaked right away). We then started vacuuming up water. We spent a couple hours taking turns vacuuming and rining out towels and moving furniture out of the room. We probably removed a 10 gallons of water from the room, and even after that the carpet still felt soaked. We'd walk around and have water pool around our feet. We got a couple fans and got those going and took a break for lunch. After that it was a matter of waiting for the floor to dry. When it was time for bed last night, the carpet was still pretty wet so I had to sleep on the couch downstairs. This morning the carpet is much drying...in certain areas. It smells, but I'm hoping that once everything is dry the smell will go away. This has been a very interesting experience, and I hope I don't have to go through it again for a long time.

pain...and the grace of God

Since my last blog, I went to California for my cousins funeral. I was able to see my aunt and grandma in Fresno who I haven't seen for almost three years. It was a blessing to be with family, and a blessing to attend an amazing memorial service. I believe God was truly glorified through it. I have since returned to to Nebraska and worked a seven day shift, had two days off, and I am on duty again for six days.

Today, I will be going to the doctor to figure out some health problems. I have a thyroid problem that I've had since high school, and until recently I was taking a natural medication for. Apparently, pharmacies aren't carrying it anymore and I'm seeing the doctor to figure out what to do. I am also seeing her for my headaches. As many of you know, I have had to deal with headaches a good chunk of my life. As I get older, they seem to be getting worse. A few years ago I had a CAT scan and a MRI, and neither of them turned up anything. Please pray that something will turn up or they will have a solution or something to help my headaches.

As I've thought over the many times I've struggled with pain (physical and emotionally), I can't help but thank God for His grace and peace. Some of my pain isn't gone, but He has been faithful and has continued to walk beside me and comfort me. In Sunday school yesterday we talked about God's grace and what does it look like in our personal lives. I can honestly say that I would not be here if it wasn't for God's grace and love. His grace and love have given me a hope...a light at the end of the tunnel if you will. No matter what happens to me or what I go through, there is always that hope of knowing I have a Savior who loves me enough He wants me to spend the rest of my life and eternity with Him. I struggle so much with so many things, but He still loves me. Working with these girls has taught me so much about myself and the extent that God would go to reveal Himself to these teens. They feel so hopeless, and I hurt for them because they don't have the hope I have. My prayer is that one day, whether it's when I'm here or years later, these girls will experience God's grace and love...which in turn will give them hope for something better. There have been many times when I have shared God's love and grace with the girls, and later realize I needed the reminder as well. God's work isn't finished in me, and His work isn't finished at Grace Childrens Home. Pray the staff will be encouraged and reminded of how much God loves them and how much He loves these kids. Pray the staff (including myself) will be encouraging and uplifting to the kids, and Christ's love will shine through up on a regular basis. Pray I will spend time in the Word and with God on a daily basis so that I can be Christ-like example to the girls. Thank you for all your support through encouragement and prayers. They are very much appreciated and needed! Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ!

it's still raining...

Sometimes when life seems to calm down it starts raining again. I don't know why I keep thinking things will get easier when I know as a Christ follower things won't be easy. As some of you know, my cousin Willy is not doing very well. He has Kearns-Sayre disease, and has lived long past what is normal for someone with K.S. disease. He doesn't have very long to live. Please keep him and his family in your prayers. Pray for peace and comfort and that God will be glorified through it all.
In other news, I have committed to staying in Nebraska longer than my original year. I'm not exactly sure how long I will be here, but I just don't think it's time for me to go yet. It has been a tough year, but I have learned so many things and grown in my relationship with Christ in ways I never would have had I stayed at home. There are many unknowns for me, but I have faith that Christ will lead me where I need to go. Thank you for your continued support and prayers. They are very much appreciated! But please keep praying.